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Little Princess Fu Fu



xTime>> Soon after Toy Store
xWhere>> LuLu's room
xWho>> LuLu
Time: Soon after Toystore
Where: LuLu's room
Who: LuLu
What: A revelation
Status: Complete



LuLu gingerly toyed with the tiara on her new princess doll. Her fingertips brushed over the gilded surface thoughtfully. She placed the figure on her dresser with great care and floated back from it. Her soft eyes never once left its ethereal porcelain skin. Even though the doll was so small, it let off a feeling of power and perfection from its immaculately painted features.

She wanted to be like that.

LuLu halfheartedly left the company of her Barbie doll to snatch a book from off her bed. She curled up on the bare comforter, all the bedding was in her closet, to skim over the first grade level literature. A few words still confused her; however, with enough practice and repetition, she could recall the story just from the pictures. The book was of a princess who outsmarted an evil troll to rescue her friends. It was LuLu’s favorite bedtime story. She had fallen asleep many times to Josh’s voice tenderly reciting its contents like a beloved lullaby. LuLu looked over the final page of the book with delight.

It depicted the evil troll tied up and the princess rejoicing with her friends.

LuLu desired to feel something similar to that; the joy of conquering an enemy and being praised for it. It must have been nice being the center of everyone’s world like that. The realization finally struck the rabbit frei as she gazed between the picture in her book and the polite smile on her Barbie. The awareness was like a ton of bricks falling on her head.

LuLu made the discovery that princesses had it the best.

They received all the attention, all the riches, all the friends, and all the credit. A princess got everything that she desired and they always obtained their happy ending. LuLu wanted hers too.

LuLu decided that day that she would become a princess.

Making up with Make up


Time: A weekend
Where: LuLu's room
Who: Josh and LuLu
What: A makeover
Status: Complete



Over the past few weeks, LuLu had grown more comfortable with her idea of becoming a princess. It was the only form of relief she had from the little nitpicks Josh still spewed here and there from his waning grief. Some days, the frei wished that she had never gone to that theater with him. Then things would still be happy. Nevertheless, LuLu would think back to the awestruck face that Prajna had made when she attack them. It was a face that the crow winged rat deserved to wear. A joyful flutter would then erupt in her half formed chest and LuLu would banish the idea of changing that day.

The little rabbit frei still held steadfast to her ideals of becoming royalty: everyone should love her, everyone should obey her, and she would get everyone’s attention. The raevan was not truly a princess; however, LuLu was not too concerned over that fact.

The rabbit currently sat in her room poised gracefully atop her stripped bed. Her Barbie was cradled delicately in her fingertips. One hand elevated the toy as if it was some sacred artifact while the other tenderly stroked a plastic brush through the doll’s synthetic locks. LuLu gazed at the small figurine and mused to herself. Of course, the Barbie that she owned was a princess edition. Nevertheless, LuLu was not uninformed of the fact that Barbie came in many other varieties. It would have been absurd for her to not take account of that while walking down the toy isle. The frei pondered to herself how one woman could attain so many different statuses.

LuLu’s nails brushed against the hem of her doll’s silken dress. Her index finger then traveled further up to fiddle with the velcro closure on the tiny garment. The digit slid down the strip of plastic teeth until each one released with a small pop. The rabbit removed the gown and stared at her Barbie’s naked form. The raevan’s nose crinkled. She turned the doll in every angle imaginable. Each new view gave her something else to scrutinize. Without the dress, LuLu’s Barbie was like any other Barbie on the shelf. It was then that the girl had a revelation. What if she looked like a princess? LuLu decided that so long as she looked the part of a dainty princess she could take free reign over the position’s benefits. She would be just like her Barbie. With the donning of a fresh, new wardrobe the rabbit would be able to strip away her old title and gain the title that she yearned for: a princess.

This is how LuLu’s interest in playing dress up began to bloom.

LuLu returned her Barbie’s dress to its rightful place on the doll’s body. She then returned the doll to its rightful place on her dresser. The gears in the rabbit’s mind began to turn as she contemplated just where she could find clothing worthy of a princess. The girl had a vague memory of the multitude of dresses that her Gram-gram owned. That would be her first stop.

The raevan slowly meandered down the hall, a motion which belied the mission she had rapidly brewing in her head. When the girl arrived in front of Jannet and Christopher’s bedroom door, she made no motion to knock or let her presence be known. Instead, the girl pressed a fluff ear to the frame and honed in on the noises coming from within the room. Her furry appendages worked like probed as they made a note of every sound. No one was inside. A smug grin splayed on the frei’s lips. She swung the door open in a grandiose show of satisfaction. The ravean made a beeline to her Gram-gram’s closet. Those doors were also flung ajar with little care. The frei looked past the more dreary dresses within and focused on the more ostentatious outfits. Her eyes were drawn to a particularly stunning piece. A long red sequined gown practically screamed for attention. It was the gaudiest thing in the closet. Ironically, it was also the thing that appealed to the rabbit the most. LuLu tugged the dress free from it clothes hanger and went to the task of putting it on. The girl had some difficulty with the fasteners and zipper in the back. Not one to be deterred by such simple obstacles, she twisted herself into pretzels until everything was properly latched, zipped, and tied. The raevan even went to the trouble of fishing up a few gilded accessories from Jannet’s vanity to wear with her new garb. With a regal air, LuLu approached the full length mirror at the corner of the room and gazed at herself in it. A delighted gasp fluttered from her chest. She looked almost perfect!

Almost.

One big thing still separated her from her precious Barbie. Small hands reach up and clasped over dark skinned cheeks. LuLu’s palms kneaded her flesh in minute, deliberate cirles. A disgusted look marred her young face. She looked nothing like a Barbie. Another idea struck the girl. She had seen Josh’s mother change her face before. Some mornings she would wake up looking dreadful. Yet, with a few pats of some mysterious powder, she transform into her usual self. LuLu’s ears quivered with excitement. That was the answer to her dilemma. If that magical powder could not make her look like a Barbie, then nothing could. The rabbit’s nose twitched as she started to search for the mystifying powder that Jannet had hoarded away.

It was only a matter of time before LuLu had found her way into Jannet’s makeup drawer. The raevan must have been astonished at first, maybe even stunned, to see the array of cosmetics Josh’s mother possessed. Numerous powders lined the inside of her vanity and each one was contained in its own uique packaging. LuLu must have spent nearly half an hour just sifting through the small jars and tins trying to decide just what she should use. As well, with such a selection at her disposal, the rabbit had managed to give herself a makeover in a matter of seconds. The raevan took a shot at mimicking her Barbie’s synthetic features. LuLu had adorned herself in red lipstick, blue eye shadow, and enough peachy foundation and face powder to drown a whale. The rabbit smile at her reflection and was immensely pleased with her work. The girl backed away from the mirror and twirled in a fit of glee. She watch the red sequins flow around her like a crimson whirlpool. This only made her giggle more.

When Josh finally made his way past his parents’ bedroom, he had to make a double take at the spinning frei dwelling within it. The girl before him had unnatural porcelain skin with a dead pan hue characteristic of applying too much makeup. It was shocking to say the least. Nevertheless, when LuLu turned around fully, Josh was able to witness the true horror of the frei’s attempt at makeup. The boy could not hold back a silent scream at what he saw. She had bright blue rings around her eyes like she had just gotten sucker punched in the face. Even more ghastly was the smudged red line that framed her lips and the two splotches of blush that lit up her cheeks. The whole ensemble was brought to a hideous close with the horrendous pool of sparkling fabric that was trying to pass off as a dress.

LuLu question broke the silence, “Am I pretty?”

Josh rubbed the back of his neck and thought over how to delicately approach the inquiry. He sauntered over and surveyed the situation. He was glad to find that the only mess the raevan had made was on her face. Josh tried to put on a smile, “Umm… LuLu…. You need more practice.”

The rabbit’s eyebrows crinkled agitatedly.

The boy cringed inwardly. So much for not being blunt. Josh picked up quickly, “Not everyone gets things right the first time Sweety. Remember tennis?”

LuLu thought over this briefly and nodded, “It is difficult to look pretty too?”

Josh lifted the rabbit off the ground as he placed his mother’s makeup back into its correct places, “You could say that. I think you are pretty enough without it though Lu.”

The frei’s lips parted into a pristine smile at the compliment. Of course, she knew that she was pretty. That wasn’t what concerned her. She was worried over whether or not she was ‘princess’ pretty. The girls in the storybooks, her Barbie included, all looked different from her and this infuriated the frei. Their lips were colored as where their eyelids and cheeks. Those royal women had a different kind of beauty that LuLu had to obtain if she wanted her plan to work. She mumbled, “Pretty enough is not like a princess.”

Josh turned around and looked at her curiously. Since when had the girl developed self esteem issues? Josh broke down. If putting on makeup and dresses would make her feel better than the boy would not deny her the simple pleasure. The boy had been rough on her enough as it was. As much as he fought to keep his raevan separate from his love life, it was a difficult chore considering she had caused most of said love life to crumble. This would be a welcome change of pace. “Ok, Lu. We’ll clean you up then I’ll show you how to put this stuff on the right way. Alright?” By no means was this humble teen a brilliant makeup artist. However, in being so close to his mom, the boy had managed to soak up a few techniques over the years. Perhaps, he could pass on his knowledge to the next generation.

LuLu grinned and floated quickly to the bathroom. With her Josh related stresses forgotten, the only thought in her head was how she would soon look like a real princess.

Pretty in Pink



Time: Late Summer
Where: A quaint princess shop
Who: Josh, LuLu, Sevilin, and We'rika
What: The first clash of the drama queens
Status: Complete
Post-note:



Rage contorted the rabbit’s face into a portrait of pure hatred; lavender eyes glowed with malice like hot coals. It would be an understatement to say that the look LuLu wore could send even the most well-worn, testosterone laden thug to an early grave. She shifted her venomous glare on Josh and waited for the boy to squirm. She craved retribution for his hasty actions. The raevan wanted to see her guardian regret what he had done. He had made her appear weak in front of the person she now considered her greatest foe: Sevilin.

Josh could tell the girl was mad at him. It did not take any ounce of brain power to deduce that obvious fact. She was practically ripping apart with her eyes. Nevertheless, he was choosing to avoid conflict by keeping his gaze locked firmly on the road and not on the bile spitting she demon about to emerge next to him. Unfortunately, he let one word escape his lips, “What?”

A small growl erupted next to him as LuLu tensed in her seat. Wrath accumulated in her trembling arms. Her high pitched voice jumped a few octaves until it came out as a hoarse croak, “You are terrible! Horrible! Mean!”

Josh chimed at the girl fluidly not missing a beat behind his agitated raevan, ”You were not acting pleasant yourself, Lu.” The boy cleared his throat then continued sternly, ”Bad behavior does not get rewarded.”

LuLu was also quick to make her rebuttal, ”I am better than Sevilin.” Her eyes narrowed as she imagined that person’s mocking face in front of her. His soft, pixie like features were animated by a snarky attitude and penchant for angering her. She could practically see his rouged lips curling into a defiant smile at her; both lovely and dangerous like a thorny rose. LuLu’s fist struck the dashboard enough to rattle it. She barked at her guardian, ”People like him. I hate him! They will never be better.”

Josh’s eyes widened at the crude display of anger that his raevan had shown. It seemed so unlike the girl. Of course, she could be a brat, but violence was almost never in her nature. The boy felt on edge for a moment as if the girl had a side that she had hidden from him. LuLu seethed beside him. Her lavender eyes were locked on the dash as if Josh no longer registered with her. It was just her and the dash, or whoever she was imagining the thin sheath of plastic to be. Josh had the inkling that this was now beyond the princess shop. Perhaps, today, LuLu had met her first true rival.

Game Set Match



Time: Later that week
Where:Tennis courts (Aekea Racquet Club)
Who: Josh, LuLu, and co.
What: Like a pro
Status: Complete



LuLu waved goodbye to Josh. He would be taking care of the technical aspects today. His first mission was to determine LuLu’s opponent for the day. The raevan left the boy to his task and enjoyed the freedom he had granted her. She took her time making her way to the court. The girl brushed a strand of blond hair from her face. Her manicured fingertips managed to coax the mischievous lock into place by twining it back into one of her chunky braid. Unlike a human, she lacked the luxury of ears that would allow her tuck a misbehaved tress of hair away. Nonetheless, she enjoyed her own pair of ears. She had grown accustomed to their uniqueness and felt as though they were a useful adornment to her head, serving as both a conversation starter and a functional accessory. Said ears flicked forward as LuLu grew more alert.

The rabbit shifted the tennis bag on her shoulder; the racquets inside clanged noisily together much to her vexation. The raevan stared at the courts in front of her. Her dark lashes shielded her lavender eyes as they scanned over the teens carrying out their warm up drills. The kids were scurrying about like ants, such small creatures set single-mindedly on a mission. She felt mildly envious of their determined features, sharp eyes and lips pressed into firm lines as they completed a stroke successfully. Every now and again a pink tongue would protrude as they set up a particularly complicated move. LuLu smiled to herself. They looked so much like miniature versions of her own guardian. Their form and purpose served to impress the rabbit. However, that did not mean she would go easy on them. LuLu supposed they were here for the same reason as her: victory.

She cupped a hand to her forehead to shade her face from the blearing sun that had come out for the occasion. Perhaps it also wanted to witness her inevitable domination in this competition? Either way, she did not need to support of the sun to triumph today. LuLu exuded confidence as she floated across the courts. The rabbit carelessly brushed a hand over her warmed skin. Somewhere in the back of her mind she was thankful that her dark complexion was not prone to burning. A morbid notion crept into her mind. Just how many of these teens would be leaving today with burnt shoulders and scorched noses? She giggled quietly to herself as she pulled out a racquet. Their discomfort would just give her more of an advantage over them.

LuLu swung her racquet to serve. She grinned as the ball landed neatly in the serving box. Her skill had only improved since her first tennis outing with Josh. Today, she would demonstrate how quick of a learner she was. She could barely contain a wave of giddiness that erupted in her half formed chest. She wanted the competition to begin already.

As if on cue, a bell tolled to signal the start of the competition.

LuLu’s ear bobbed and she set out to join the other teens in a large mob that had begun to form. As much as she disliked the notion of being dropped to the other kids’ level, and allowing herself to be herded with them like a lot of cattle, it was a necessary evil. LuLu waved at Josh who was standing with the other adults by the main booth where the opponent groups had been established.

The look the boy wore could only be described as dread. It put the rabbit into a state of disease. LuLu shrunk back as her guardian approached. She looked away for a moment the spoke solemnly, “What is wrong?”

Josh rubbed his temples nervously before he spoke, “It is…. bad, Lu. Your opponent is tough. His father owns the racquet club. He is not a newbie.” The boy’s expression grew grim, ”You may not win.” That may not have been the best thing to say. However, the boy did not want to fill the girl’s head with ideas of grandeur. Victory would be hard earned and almost impossibly as far as he was concerned. A dose of reality seemed necessary.

LuLu’s chipper attitude faltered instantly. She brought a hand to her chin. Her fingertips covered her deep frown from Josh. Her expression showed clearly that she was hurt. Yet, she did not want her guardian to see that she was also second guessing her abilities. Josh may have his doubts, but that did not mean that she had to follow suit.

The boy continued ”I understand if you want to go home, Lu.”

LuLu’s hand snapped away from her face and formed a tiny fist. Rage caused the minute hairs on her ears to bristle. Sharp brows lowered and amethyst eyes glimmered dangerously. It embarrassed her that Josh would suggest such a thing! That is not what a princess would do. Opposition meant nothing. What would have happened if Ariel had given up when she lost her voice? No, leaving was not an option! LuLu’s voice quivered like the gentle toll of a small bell, “Do not say that. I am not weak. I will win…. like a princess.” With that being said, the girl spun away from Josh and began to travel to her court.

Nervousness bubbled violently in LuLu’s chest like a pot ready to boil over. She could feel the heat emanating from her core. Her cheeks flush softly as she fought off the feeling of faintness that lurked in a dark corner of her mind. The frei’s eyes stayed fixed in front of her. The court loomed ahead of her. Yet, it was no longer a court. The humble red rectangle divided by a net had taken on a different form. The scarlet glared at her like intense, judging eyes. The net perched imposingly as if promising failure. LuLu stood firmly a gulped down the lump in her throat unsure of when exactly it had formed. This would now be her battle grounds. It would be the place where she would prove herself to all those who doubted her, including Josh.

The girl calmed her nerves as her opponent emerged on his side if the court. As expected of the son of the racquet club owner, a crowd had formed to witness his renowned skill. LuLu clenched her racquet in her hand to hide the fact her hands were trembling. The boy barked at her, “You serve!”

The rabbit seemed dumbstruck for a moment as if caught in the headlights. She nodded dopily and followed the demand. With a tennis ball in her hand, the challenged seemed all the more real. The girl’s breathing was shallow as she approached the service line. She gulped at the air as if it was fleeing her lungs. The moment of truth was fast approaching. The rabbit forcibly slowed her breathing. Her thoughts shifted away from her fear and honed in on her desire to win. Lavender eyes took on a passionate glimmer like two precious stoned embedded in a dark soil.

With one quick motion she launched the tennis ball in the air and struck down on the yellow orb at its highest point with all her might. The force of her hit reverberated in her delicate ears as a harsh snap. LuLu must have closed her eyes when she had finished, because she found herself opening them when she heard a wave of gasps erupt around her.

Her opponent stood speechless. LuLu’s serve was caught in the fence behind him. Josh was the first to speak up. His voice came out as a shocked croak, ”An a-ace!” LuLu was equally as stunned. Those word rung hollowly in her head; however, her serve still embedded in the fence served as proof. She had won the first point against her opponent. The rabbit’s lips upturned into a smirk. The corners of her eyes now pinch closed to form devious crescents. The girl squeaked mockingly, ”Getting warmed up!” The boy across from her was gaping like an astonished child. He looked at his father for an answer, but the man simply gave him a lackluster stare.

The next serve concluded similarly, as did the preceding one.

It seemed as though LuLu was determined to surprise everyone today with a victory from left field.

A Little Help Goes a Long Way



Time: Soon after Things Come and Go
Where: Josh's living room
Who: Josh, Josh's mom, and LuLu (secretly)
What: A bargain
Status: Complete



She may have won, but LuLu did not feel like a winner. Her victory had somehow morphed into a failure right before her eyes and there seemed to be no way to revert this transmutation. The cheer of the crowd around her had been replaced by an awkward silence in Josh’s truck. In the rabbit’s opinion, it was frustrating. The teen would not tell her anything of importance even though she had asked countless times. He would simply reply that everything would be ok with a hollow chuckle. She was positive that her guardian was hiding something. However, she could not put her finger on just what the boy was keeping secret. LuLu was determined to find out what the problem was though. Tomorrow, she would find a way to make the trouble her business.

For now, LuLu was content with the idea of tucking herself away into her closet for the night. The raevan shifted into a comfortable position tangled among her various pilfered comforters like a rabbit stowed safely in its den. The frei gave a comforted sigh before she began the last step of sleep: pulling the blankets over in order to tuck herself in. However, the covers paused as they were halfway lifted over her head. Large ear twitched and honed in on Josh’s voice coming from the living room. The sound was hushed and strained like a whisper. This instantly piqued the girl’s interest. Apparently, he was discussing something that he did not want the frei to hear.

The girl literally bounded from her closet and pressed a fuzzy ear to one of her thin walls. Josh’s voice rang all the clearer with distance closed between them. The girl made out a faint shuffling then the rosy and cheerful tenor of Josh’s mother. LuLu spoke airily to herself, ”GramGram?” She soon shifted and pressed her whole body to the wall, anything to make the noises clearer. She honed her acute senses on the conversation at hand.

”Mom, I need to talk to you.”

A shuffle and a clink. It was most likely Jannet setting aside her knitting. LuLu made a mental note to snack on it tomorrow morning. Jannet’s knitting had a way of filling her that not even carrot cake could compare to. The rabbit’s attention returned to the discussion. The woman spoke, ”What is it Josh-baby?”

”This is… important, Mom.” A pause. ”I got into a fight with Jeffery.”

A playful giggled erupt from the woman. ”You know what I say about fights Joshie-washie! Did you at least sock him good?” LuLu could practically hear the mirth in the woman’s voice. She was sure that Jannet was wearing one of her signature smiles, one that quirked the edges of the woman’s mouth until her cheeks crinkled and dimpled. Her eyes would have their usual inviting warmth. LuLu sunk to the floor. She wished she could just be in there with them.

Josh’s voice grew more hoarse and stretched, ”You do not understand, Mom! I… I will not be able to teach tennis again… here or, most likely, anywhere. Jeffery will make sure of that!” A blunt thwap sounded in the room as though the teen had struck the back of the couch. ”I h-have no job. It is only a matter of time before I am broke. I have nothing to offer LuLu, anymore! S-she needs me though! What can I do, M-mom?!” Toward the end of the boy’s speech, LuLu could hear his voice waver. It quivered and shook with the sound of unshed tears. LuLu had never seen her guardian cry. The frei almost doubted what she was hearing; yet, her ears where never wrong. One other thing alarmed the frei. The word “broke” rung in her head like a jarring alarm. She had always been given anything she wanted. What would she do if Josh truly could not provide for her anymore?

There was shuffling, Jannet leaving her seat to approach Josh. ”She has you Josh and she has me. I am sure she will be happy with that. You have me, too. If you ever need anything, come to me.” LuLu gaped silently. She had also never heard such a serious tone etched in Jannet’s voice. For once, the woman was demonstrating her wisdom rather than her bubbliness. Nervousness stirred in the frei’s chest. This was bigger than she had first anticipated.

Josh sighed dejectedly, ”But, I do not want to rely on you. W-what about…”

”Do not worry about your father now. I will be the support for you and LuLubu. You stay strong, too. For me and for her.”

LuLu’s hands shot up to cup over her mouth. She choked away her gasp before she could make it. This was not good! Josh and his mother were doing the unthinkable. They actually had the nerve to try and hide something from Christopher! The same man who had put countless threats over her head. The frei understood this would be a dangerous task. All of them would have to tread lightly from now on to avoid disturbing “the beast” that was Josh’s father.

Josh sniffled. His tears finally unleashed themselves into an uncontrolled torrent. ”Th-thank you, Mom.”

Jannet’s voice took on its normal delightful tone. He words struck like a refreshing breeze, ”Cry for now. Then dry those tears and smile for LuLubu.” Josh said nothing in return. Instead his sobs grew louder until LuLu no longer needed to press herself to the wall in order to hear them. The rabbit’s gaze fell to the floor. Her hand grasped at her chest and at the empty feeling within it. Her guardian was so worried over her. Even to the point that he would risk Christopher’s wrath. Josh was like her Sebastian, the one person who looked out for her despite the misadventures she got into. LuLu sighed firmly. Her small fingers pressed into the skin of her collar bones until they turned a pallid white. She could not sit idly by while her guardian put himself on the line. That is not what a princess would do! The frei would no longer be a burden. She would not allow Josh and his mother’s efforts go to waste. LuLu decided then and there that she would help them in her own way. The girl nodded firmly. From then on, she would not ask Josh to buy another thing for her.

Reconcilement



Time: A weekend
Where: Josh's and LuLu's room
Who: Josh and LuLu
What: A bond is repaired
Status: Complete



LuLu hoped that Josh had heeded her words and had gone to return the expensive toy back to the store he had gotten it from. The rabbit had observed the teen leaving from the large window in her room. Hidden amongst the red curtains, she observed him carrying the same bag he had entered the house with. There was a good chance that he had followed the ravean’s orders, after all. LuLu watched him pull out of the driveway with stern eyes as if daring him to come back into the house with another gift. The frown etched into her features did not fade for nearly half an hour. When her grim expression finally faltered, LuLu’s rage had ebbed away and she was left to her thoughts. Unfortunately for her, her thoughts were not always the most welcomed things. They were often full of judgment and harsh ridicule aimed not only at others but also at her. Her ponderings pricked her like a painful needle injecting an unwanted dose of truth.

As anger ebbed away like a red tide, guilt began to surface clouding what should have been a pristine sea of feelings. LuLu closed the curtains on her window. She did not want to know when Josh came back. She did not believe she could face her guardian again right now. For once in her life, the rabbit felt as though she was at fault. Josh had tried to appeal to her yet she had snapped at the unaware boy. The girl sighed and stared at herself in her vanity. Her eyes still had some traces of weariness despite her feeding. LuLu wondered idly how scary the look she gave Josh was. Apparently, it was enough to send him running back to the store. Slim fingers covered bagged eyes lethargically. LuLu did not want to see herself anymore. Her lackluster reflection only served to remind her of the sleepless night she had and the conversation she had overheard. The frei just wanted to curl up and take back all of yesterday, even her victory. Then things could turn back to normal and she could become comfortable in familiarity once again. The rabbit did not enjoy drama and she did not favor the disorder it caused in her life. Drama is what gave her these nasty thoughts of guilt and blame, the same ones that made her sick to her nonexistent stomach.

LuLu squeezed her fingers to her temples. Regrettably, she could not take yesterday back. Despite that, there was still some way that she could put some of her guilt to rest. The rabbit gulped hard. A cold chill ran along her half formed spine. It was her only choice and it was something LuLu had never done before.

She could apologize!

LuLu’s lavender eyes traveled to her door. Josh’s room lay just beyond across the hall. Perhaps he was already home? LuLu approached the wooden barrier that barred her from her guardian. Solace resided just beyond the obstruction. All LuLu had to do was to charge and grab it. The rabbit sucked in a deep breath and slid her door open. Her head poked out into the hall like a nervous rabbit emerging from it comfortable burrow. LuLu’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Josh was in his room sitting atop his bed. His door was flung open flippantly as usual. The boy looked up as he heard her door creak ajar. They made eye contact and the frei’s resolve crumbled. Nevertheless, a connection had been made and there would be no turning back without severe embarrassment as a punishment. The ravean hesitantly crossed the bridge between them and entered Josh’s room. Her voice came out as a soft squeak, ”I am … s-s-sorry.” LuLu cringed. The words felt unpalatable on her tongue as though she should never have to utter them.

Josh quirked his brow at her. His toned was mildly amused, ”Why is that?” The teen was almost in awe that the frei had managed to utter such a thing. It seemed as though LuLu was making numerous revelations today. He was curious as to what had caused such a change of heart.

LuLu froze for a moment before she answered. Her words were well selected, ”I heard. Last night.”

Josh clasped a hand over his mouth. His face changed from entertainment to alarm. He shifted on his bed to draw closer the the frei. The boy stuttered, ”W-what!? No! I did not want you to get involved, Lu. How much did you hear? Tell me!”

The girl turned her head away to avoid Josh’s gaze. The fact she had eavesdropped was becoming all the more apparent. “Everything.”

Josh groaned and brought a palm to his forehead. He did not know what was more painful; the fact LuLu had heard the truth, or the fact that she had heard him cry like a girl watching her favorite drama. The boy responded, ”Is that why you have been acting odd?”

LuLu shifted in place then nodded, ”I will help. Josh and GramGram are not alone.” The girl huffed and spoke more sternly, ”Do not buy anything!”

The boy chuckled halfheartedly. He was never good at keeping secrets and it appeared that this “cat” was already halfway out of the bag. Josh repositioned himself on his bed and brought a hand to his chin in contemplation. He supposed it would be easier to hide the agreement from his father though, if they were all working together to keep it under cover. Josh replied, ”Fine, Lu. You have to promise not to mention any of this to Christopher, ok?”

LuLu nodded her head firmly. It was not like she ever exchanged pleasant words with the man anyway. The girl smiled to her guardian warmly. Most of her guilt had finally been put to ease. For now, it appeared as though her life would be bit more hectic, but the rabbit believed that she could manage it with the help of Josh and Jannet.